If you follow me on Instagram you may have seen that our little Kirby turned one over the Thanksgiving weekend. We celebrated by making him cupcakes, lighting a candle, and taking his picture with a party hat on. Because I’m a photographer who is obsessed with her dog. What do you expect?

We haven’t had Kirby in our lives for a year quite yet, but it feels like he’s been with us forever. And yet, I’m still baffled that he’s not the same little fluffy puppy we brought home. I can’t imagine how I’m going to feel when I have real children.

I can’t believe it when I look back through his old puppy pictures and see how much has changed. I miss that little furball he was, and those pictures and videos just kill me, but the truth is that I’ve fallen more in love with him every day since we got him. And not just because he no longer has needle teeth and a chewing habit.

I love that he will cuddle with me in bed in the morning (although he consistently wakes me up every day at 8 am to be let out to pee and eat his breakfast). I love that he will go searching for his favorite toys and bring them to us with his tail wagging high in the air. I love that he still squats to pee. I love how focused and excited he gets over his ball. I love that he waits for me on the bed while I shower every day, until he jumps down to lick the lotion off my legs. I love that he will squeeze into the tightest spots in order to cuddle. I love that he whines and jumps up and down like a pogo stick when we get home, he’s so excited. I love his weird groans and grunts and growls. I love the way his ears flop over and his tail fluffs out. I love the way he’ll flop onto his back when he wants belly scratches. And the way he starts to sneeze if he’s upside down for too long. I love to watch him watch the crows and the squirrels through the living room windows, from his perch over the back of the couch or chair. I love that when he gets in trouble, he sulks and grovels for a good half hour until he’s sure he’s in the clear again. I love that he’s so sensitive to his pack disbanding—if someone, especially me, leaves he will whine and adamantly watch for them until they return. I love that he has been trained from day one how to sit still and look at the camera (disclaimer: he’s often actually looking at the treat or toy I happen to be holding hostage near the camera.)

Too much? I told you. I’m a crazy dog mom. But he’s just so cute, can you really blame me?

So while he may have HATED that hat, and he may have tried to eat that cupcake while the flame was still burning on it, and he may have given me more outtakes than cute shots, I’m glad we got some “puppy cake smash” pictures of the birthday boy, and I am so grateful he came into this world on Thanksgiving Day one year ago. Happy birthday, Puppydog!